Imam mali problem: na ekranu ništa ne vidim.

I have a small problem: I cannot see anything on the screen.

Breakdown of Imam mali problem: na ekranu ništa ne vidim.

• imati: to have
• ne: not
• mali: small
• videti: to see

Questions & Answers about Imam mali problem: na ekranu ništa ne vidim.

Why is there no ja in Imam mali problem?

Because Serbian usually drops subject pronouns when they are not needed.

• Imam already means I have
• The verb ending -am shows the subject is I

So:

• Imam mali problem = I have a small problem
• Ja imam mali problem is also possible, but ja adds emphasis, like I have a small problem.

In neutral speech, leaving out ja is more natural.

Why is it mali problem and not something like malog problema?

After imam (I have), the direct object is normally in the accusative case.

Here, problem is:

• masculine
• singular
• inanimate

For masculine inanimate nouns, the accusative singular looks the same as the nominative singular.

So:

• nominative: mali problem
• accusative: mali problem

That is why nothing changes on the surface.

Compare this with an animate noun:

• Vidim malog psa = I see a small dog

There, masculine animate accusative changes.